Does constant anchoring wear you down?

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

I was given the advice to just take my boat out and drive it around in reverse all day. That's much easier if you turn around and face the stern. The wheel now steers like a tiller, but I bet most of us have done that before.

When you turn around on a tiller boat, the tiller now acts like a wheel, in that pushing the tiller to port moves the boat to port instead of starboard. Practicing helps you make that mental shift easily.

You dangerously have all that the wrong way around!!!

When reversing a boat, pushing the tiller to port moves the boat to starboard (the bow will swing port, but the general movement of the boat is in the STARBOARD direction).

[Coops]

Just read the post and was going to comment, but see that I have been beaten to it. That is plain wrong Raku, sorry. The boat does not go to port in reverse with the tiller to port

Coops.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Nor does the wheel act like a tiller if you turn around and face the stern when reversing!

No wonder we see inexperienced charterers moving the wheel/tiller the wrong way when reversing, when boat owners don't get it right!

[GILow]

I used to sleep really well at anchor...

Until I started reading on CF and realised how little I knew.

Ignorance was bliss, now I lie awake chewing my nails with half a dozen alarms set and highlighted printouts of anchoring threads strewn about the dining table.

Thanks CF... I think.

Matt

[GILow]

[QUOTE=Seaworthy Lass;1360878]Nor does the wheel act like a tiller if you turn around and face the stern when reversing!

QUOTE]

With my prop-walk it doesn't matter which way I turn the wheel, the stern will always head off in the same direction. I just use the wheel as a rate limiter.

Matt

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by GILow

Thanks CF... I think.

Here is photo to complete the effect . For maximum impact print out and place next to your berth.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

Nor does the wheel act like a tiller if you turn around and face the stern when reversing!

Actually, I am thinking about this, and I am pretty sure that the wheel does work intuitively when you face the stern. Turn the wheel to your new starboard (port when facing forward) and the stern should go that way too. Of course, this is entirely hypothetical in my case, but I think I am right here.

Matt

[GILow]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Here is photo to complete the effect . For maximum impact print out and place next to your berth.

Oh thank you SO much, that REALLY helps. Really, it does... don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

Nor does the wheel act like a tiller if you turn around and face the stern when reversing!

Originally Posted by GILow

Actually, I am thinking about this, and I am pretty sure that the wheel does work intuitively when you face the stern. Turn the wheel to your new starboard (port when facing forward) and the stern should go that way too. Of course, this is entirely hypothetical in my case, but I think I am right here.

Matt

'New starboard' . That's a new one LOL .

Yes, the wheel does act intuitively when facing backwards - turn it to starboard and the boat will reverse in a starboard direction (although prop walk and wind on the bow need to be taken into account)

What it does NOT do is act like a tiller as Rakuflames posted. These two paragraphs of hers are completely incorrect:

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

I was given the advice to just take my boat out and drive it around in reverse all day. That's much easier if you turn around and face the stern. The wheel now steers like a tiller, but I bet most of us have done that before.

When you turn around on a tiller boat, the tiller now acts like a wheel, in that pushing the tiller to port moves the boat to port instead of starboard. Practicing helps you make that mental shift easily.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

'New starboard' . That's a new one LOL .

Yes, the wheel does act intuitively when facing backwards - turn it to starboard and the boat will reverse in a starboard direction (although prop walk and wind on the bow need to be taken into account)

Oops, a little inelegant of me there, but I am glad you got my drift.

Thank you for confirming what I can only hypothesise about, I dream of being able to steer in reverse... I am told it can be very useful.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Here is photo to complete the effect . For maximum impact print out and place next to your berth.

You are confused, that picture was of scheduled bottom cleaning

[noelex 77]

Really anchoring is very safe if you follow some common sense procedures. These are my rules:

Choose an appropriate location.
Get a good anchor.
Learn how to drop the anchor and lay out chain correctly.
Use adequate scope for the conditions.
Set the anchor.
Test the set with lots of reverse. Confirm that you are not moving backwards.
Use a snubber (long in strong winds) with a backup retention system.
Always use an anchor alarm set over the anchor. Have transits as well.
Know where your anchor is at all times.
Watch your neighbours, particularly those upwind when they anchor.
Be prepared to move.

If possible inspect your anchor set visually, but learn what is good and bad. Most people that inspect their anchors simply go through the ritual, but then ignore an anchor that is poorly set.

Boats can anchor very close together safely if they are of a similar type of boat and have a similar rode out, but the anchors need to separated as well as the boats themselves. If you know where your anchor is and observe where other people drop, its' possible to reasonably accurately determine the anchor separation even in variable light winds. Watch for people using a different anchoring system such as multiple anchors when you are using one.

Failure to do this is the most common reason for boats swinging and colliding, which is otherwise very rare even in crowded anchorages.

If you follow the above rules you are unlikely to have problems but be prepared for the worst. Make sure you can start the engine quickly and that you have clothes, torch, fenders, knife, pliers and boat hook handy.

Enjoy yourself. Anchoring is much nicer than marina.

[Wraith_Mac]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Really anchoring is very safe if you follow some common sense procedures. These are my rules:

Choose an appropriate location.
Get a good anchor.
Learn how to drop the anchor and lay out chain correctly.
Use adequate scope for the conditions.
Set the anchor.
Test the set with lots of reverse. Confirm that you are not moving backwards.
Use a snubber (long in strong winds) with a backup retention system.
Always use an anchor alarm set over the anchor. Have transits as well.
Know where your anchor is at all times.
Watch your neighbours, particularly those upwind when they anchor.
Be prepared to move.

If possible inspect your anchor set visually, but learn what is good and bad. Most people that inspect their anchors simply go through the ritual, but then ignore an anchor that is poorly set.

Boats can anchor very close together safely if they are of a similar type of boat and have a similar rode out, but the anchors need to separated as well as the boats themselves. If you know where your anchor is and observe where other people drop, its' possible to reasonably accurately determine the anchor separation even in variable light winds. Watch for people using a different anchoring system such as multiple anchors when you are using one.

Failure to do this is the most common reason for boats swinging and colliding, which is otherwise very rare even in crowded anchorages.

If you follow the above rules you are unlikely to have problems but be prepared for the worst. Make sure you can start the engine quickly and that you have clothes, torch, fenders, knife, pliers and boat hook handy.

Enjoy yourself. Anchoring is much nicer than marina.

Nice one Noelex 77, I can see the headlines now:
CF MODERATOR IGNITES OFFSHORE MARKET SURGE IN VALIUM!
It is recommended to invest in this newly invigorated market, BUY NOW!

All those who may have been nervous are now shattered wrecks! [oops! bad wording]

Cheers,
Mac

[Capt.Alex]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

'New starboard' . That's a new one LOL .

Yes, the wheel does act intuitively when facing backwards - turn it to starboard and the boat will reverse in a starboard direction (although prop walk and wind on the bow need to be taken into account)

What it does NOT do is act like a tiller as Rakuflames posted. These two paragraphs of hers are completely incorrect:

I know this is a thread drift, but...
Starboard is always starboard and port is always port. These terms refer to one side of or the other regardless of how you look at it. Thats why we also use left and right terminology. For example, if you say "There is a container ship off the starboard bow", there is no confusion as to where it is, it is off the right side of the boat when facing forward, period end of story. Likewise, you use right and left when referring to directions in relation to people or actions. It is proper to say "turn the wheel to left", as opposed to port. Semantics, I know, but the terms were created to eliminate confusion. We have all heard someone ask "My left or your left?", Never should you hear "My port or your port?".

[scoobert]

wouldn't half of these, "my anchor let go" stories be avoided if everyone used a stern anchor?
when anchoring 8' off the shore on the 4th, i used a stern anchor in a 2kt reverse tide, and it worked perfect. i just took it out in the dingy, dropped it, and pulled it tight. i slept all night with that, and was fine in the morning. i have considered two stern anchors, one on each side. 3 points of anchor, hard to mess up...